Ever wonder what it's like to fly First Class and wake up at your destination feeling refreshed?
Want to learn to save time by cutting the lines at airport security or customs and immigration?
What if I told you that I do all of this without paying a dime?
Travel Hacking 101: The Art of Traveling Luxuriously for Less
Let's begin... The first and most common strategy when it comes to travel hacking is finding a credit card with bonus miles for signing up.
I use American Express Platinum which offered me an incredible 100,000 bonus miles. I charge every possible business expense I can to it with the goal of earning free flights.
With double points earned for booking with American Express Travel, I was able to find an off peak First Class ticket from Costa Rica to New York for $484. Paid for with points, this flight was absolutely free.
Note: I also carry a Visa Capital One Business Card which is the only card I know of with no foreign transaction fees and no annual fee.
[Money Saved: $484]
Priority Check in
Upon arrival at San Jose International Airport, my first delight was skipping the line and using American Airline's Priority Check-in. After taking care of the usual formalities, the gentleman stamped my ticket and directed me to Costa Rica's Fast Track line where I breezed past all the tourists.
[Time saved: 30 minutes]
First Class with American Airlines
If you really wanna be a travel hacking nerd, look closely at what type of plane you'll be flying on when you book your flight. Read the reviews on SKYTRAX before you spend your hard earned miles on a First Class seat that isn't worth it. I knew this was a brand new Airbus A319 and I loved the experience.
In a twist of fate, thunderstorms had us make an emergency landing in Charleston, South Carolina. Normally, two and a half hours on the tarmac would have been miserable but sitting in First Class made this so much better.
Of course I missed my connection in Charlotte, so here's how things played out being stranded once I finally got there.
Global Entry
Let's start by skipping the lines re-entering the United States. Signing up for Global Entry has made my life so much better. After one quick meeting with a U.S. Customs and Immigration Officer, American Express Platinum reimbursed me for the $100 fee.
Sitting in seat 1A allowed me to be the first person off the airplane, so I didn't have to deal with the pushy-and-shovey energy of everyone in coach after a long day of travel. After that, I simply checked in to the United States with a kiosk and met the first available Customs officer who didn't even open my passport.
Welcome home... almost.
[Time saved: 45 minutes]
Starwood Preferred Guest
It's 2 a.m. in the Sheraton Hotel at the Charlotte Airport. Everyone's flight has been cancelled and there is a line of 15 people waiting to check-in and only two people working the front desk.
How could this day get any longer?
I hop in the Starwood Preferred Guest line that is a perk given by American Express Platinum and hear sneers from the crowd who've been fed up after a long day. People are heckling me but I don't care.
[Time saved: 40 minutes]
TSA Precheck
Do you enjoy getting to the airport early? I sure as hell don't.
With TSA Pre-check you don't have to wait in line to go through security, take off your belt, shoes, or remove your laptop or liquids.
For domestic flights I'm happy to arrive an hour before my flight if I can cut the line. And, I didn't even have to get my underside tickled by a TSA Official.
[Time saved: 30 minutes]
American Airlines Admiral Club
I was highly impressed with the American Airlines Admiral Club in Charlotte. Airport lounges are a perk that every First Class flight offers. The receptionist at the Admiral Club was very helpful confirming my new flight. When you have a problem with your flight or want to move your seat is when these airport lounges really pay dividends.
After a complimentary cup of coffee with my Bulletproof Instamix for an added energy boost, my morning was off to a good start.
Priority Baggage
When you fly First Class everyone sees you get on the plane first, but what I didn't realize is that your bags are marked with priority tags and come off the plane before everyone else's.
Game over.
I arrived in New York feeling refreshed and ready to be productive. These travel hacks resulted in more sleep, less tests of my patience, and an overall better quality of life. In a world where time is our most valuable asset, if you can hack the system and get these perks for free, I highly recommend it.
Sound like fun? Get more travel hacking tips and break free from your desk with my free Escape Manual.